Germany: Merkel and Germany are examples of "the best European tradition" - Donald Tusk

President of the European Council Donald Tusk praised the German government and German Chancellor Angela Merkel for their approach to the European refugee crisis, as an example of "the best European tradition", speaking from Berlin, Tuesday. Tusk went on to say that "those who believe that Germany is too open, too tolerant, too liberal, forgot to do their homework about our tragic history," adding that "I am with those who think that Germany should take care of European borders bravely and without any historic complexes." The European Council President also argued that "Germany is now governed by people who understand that it pays off to rate solidarity as highly as national interest." Official figures suggest that 800,000 refugees and migrants will seek asylum in Germany in 2015, with German right wing groups increasing in popularity due to their opposition to recently introduced refugee policies in the EU.